Birding at Pickaway County Airport

General Information

Address

28181 McCrady Rd, Circleville, OH

County/Counties

Pickaway

DeLorme Page Number and Coordinates

(7th Edition and earlier) indicated on page 68:D1

Nearest Town or City

4 miles SSW of Circleville, Ohio.

Directions from Nearest Town or City

From the intersection of Rtes 23 and 56 in Circleville, go 4+ mi south on 23, and take a right (west) on Jefferson Rd. A half-mile after crossing the bridge over Scippo Creek, turn left into the marked entry road.

About Pickaway County Airport

A typical sleepy rural airport, situated in primeval Pickaway Plains prairie, where interesting birding can be had from the roadsides. Along the entry road a large colony of thirteen-lined ground squirrels is evident, along with eastern meadowlarks and grasshopper and savannah sparrows in season. Follow the road as far as the parking lot on the right past the headquarters; driving past this point is prohibited without permission. Walk the road further past the first hangar. Sparrows of several species come to drink at a ditch on the right. A pair of vesper sparrows usually nests in the treeline to the left. A stony raised area between the road and the runway, covered with short grass and bare spots, can be covered with pipits in migration, as well as foraging sparrows; it looks like an area where Smith’s longspur might be found in migration, and there are a number of records in the area. Past the runways and over the Scioto River, vultures are numerous, hawks move in spring and fall, and a large heronry can be seen before the trees fully leaf out.

Heading back toward Rte 23 along Jefferson Rd, take a signed right toward the water treatment plant just before passing under the railroad tracks. The gravel road bends right and follows the tracks, whose right of way harbors a surprising number of breeding birds, including the expected sparrows, chats and other warblers, blackbirds, and flyover water birds from Scippo Creek. Blue grosbeaks have successfully nested here on several occasions in recent years, along with dickcissels in good numbers. Do not block the road, or trespass beyond the railroad. You may have to go all the way to the plant to turn around. Back on Jefferson, Rte 23 is less than a mile after a right turn, past the bridge over the creek.

Visiting Information

Closed hours/season

Law-abiding birders are allowed during daylight hours.

Parking Areas

There is a parking area at the airport.

Fees/Permits

None.

Restroom Facilities

None.

Restaurants in the Area

The closest restaurants are four miles north near Circleville along US 23.

Other Useful Information

This intensively farmed area, just a mile or two from the Scioto River, can still resonate with hints of the bird life of the former Pickaway Plains.

Other Birding Spots in the Area

Charlie’s Pond, Stage’s Pond, Deer Creek WA.